Rodriguez explained that the trial, FLAX-PAD, was conducted in PAD patients because they happened to have a clinic for the disease in their center and, as around 75% of PAD patients have concomitant hypertension, "it was an easy population to study." Subgroup analyses of only the PAD patients with hypertension showed a greater reduction in SBP, of about 15 mm Hg, in these patients than in the study population as a whole and a similar reduction in DBP, he noted. "Flaxseed represents a particularly attractive strategy for controlling hypertension in economically disadvantaged communities and countries, and its BP-lowering effects compare favorably with those of antihypertensive drugs and lifestyle modifications, such as a low-salt diet and weight loss," he noted....Rodriguez said that he and his colleagues chose to study flaxseed because animal studies have shown it has antiatherogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antiarrhythmic effects and may reduce circulating cholesterol and trans-fatty acid levels. They randomized 110 patients with PAD and an ankle-brachial index (ABI) <0.9 to milled flaxseed (30 g/day) in the form of bagels, muffins, and buns (n=58) or placebo products (n=52), made from wheat with a similar flavor, for one year. Baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups, with hypertension being highly prevalent--around three-quarters of the PAD patients had high blood pressure, and 80% were taking antihypertensive medications. BP measurements were based on an average of three readings taken in the sitting position with a mercury sphygmomanometer by a trained nurse.

..."Flaxseed has different components, including alpha-linolenic acid, enterolignans, and fiber, and all have been shown to decrease BP. We think we are seeing a synergistic effect of different compounds," he commented.

Prehypertension independently raises the risk of stroke by about 50%, according to results of a new review [1 >.

Prehypertension is defined by a systolic blood pressure (BP) between 120 and 139 mm Hg or diastolic BP between 80 and 89 mm Hg. "Importantly," the authors say, the risk of stroke appeared more strongly driven by higher systolic or diastolic BP values within the prehypertensive range. It's appropriate to "recommend and monitor therapeutic lifestyle changes" in patients who have BP that falls within the higher range of prehypertension, that is systolic BP (SBP) 130-139 mm Hg or diastolic BP (DBP) 85-89 mm Hg, author Dr Bruce Ovbiagele (University of California, San Diego), said in an interview. These lifestyle changes, he noted, could include a low-salt diet, consuming no more than 2 g of sodium per day, regular exercise consisting of 30 minutes of aerobic exercise at least four days a week, and maintaining a normal body-mass index between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m2.

"Doctors report that singing reduced the blood pressure of a 76-year-old woman who had experienced severe preoperative hypertension prior to total knee replacement surgery for osteoarthritis (OA). While the patient was unresponsive to aggressive pharmacologic interventions, the woman's blood pressure dropped dramatically when she sang several religious songs. This case-report appears in the April issue of Arthritis Care & Research, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR)."

"Several studies suggest that listening to music can be effective in reducing blood pressure by calming or diverting patients prior to surgery, which lessens stress and anxiety ," explains lead author Nina Niu, a researcher from Harvard Medical School in Boston. "Our case study expands on medical evidence by showing that producing music or singing also has potential therapeutic effects in the preoperative setting."

"The patient asked doctors if she could sing, which the patient reported doing frequently to calm herself down and to help with sleeping. The medical team encouraged her to so, and after two songs checked her blood pressure which had lowered to 180/90 mm Hg. With continued singing for 20 minutes, the patient's blood pressure remained lower and persisted for several hours after. As instructed by doctors, the patient sang periodically through the night which kept her blood pressure at acceptable levels. The following morning, the woman was cleared for knee replacement surgery, which was successful and without complications.

Niu commented, "Singing is simple, safe, and free. Patients should be encouraged to sing if they wish." This single case study showed the positive effective of singing in reducing blood pressure and controlling pain. "To be formally considered as an alternative therapy for the OA patient population, larger studies are needed to explore the effects of signing on hypertension and chronic pain relief," said Niu."

Actually this is just form of the relaxation response. But can be very effective.View Thread

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